Automatic pipe-connector.



J. L. MOHUN. AUTOMATIC PIPE CONNECTOR. APPLICATION FILED PEB.17, 190s.

Patented June 8, 1909.

a sums-sum 1 gnvantoz a, 7m 51: W CQda-Q QI LM M/ I LL. MOHQIN.AUTOMATIC PIPE CONNECTOR.

APPLICATION FILEDJFBB. 17, 1908.

P'a-tanted June 8, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

I I I I wi/tmeooeo vemtoz Mug wizm uw w JOHN L. MOHUN, OF NEW Y OR K,'N.Y.

AUTOMATIC PIPE-CONNECTOR.

' To all whom it may concern: i

Be it known. that I, JOHN L. MonUN, a

' citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough ofBrooklyn, of the city of New York, in the'State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improve.

ments in Automatic Pipe-Connectors, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forminga parthereof.

W here hand couplings are employed on railway trains to connect thedifferent pi e lines thereon such as the steam line, t e train line andthe signalline, it is'necessary for the trainmen to go in between thecars to make the required connections; and this not only consumesconsiderable time but is a frequent source of accident.

The object. of the present invention is to provide an automatic pipeconnector, to save the time required in coupling andreduce the liabilityto accident incident to the use of hand connectingdevices. It isparticularly desirable in such devices to avoid the use flexible hose assuch hose frequently bursts and is often a source of accident. hepresent improvements provide a suilicient range'a nd freedom of movementfor the connector head and the con.- nector as a whole whereby the useof flexible hose is wholly obviated. ln'order to give the connectorand'the connector-head the required movement the connector head isarranged to slide upon the connector body, plungers being provided tomaintain the continuity of the pipe line passages; a universal joint ofnovel construction is arranged between the connector bddy' and its base,the joint itself being provided with passages cor-responding to thedifferent lines whereby the lines extend'through he joint; and thebaseof the connector is ingedor pivoted to the car body so that theconnector as a whole may have a swinging or twisting movement as'isrequired ata crossover or when the train is entering or leaving a curve.Moreover, in accordance with the invention, the forward portionof'thecoupler is sup-. ported by a yoke or i which may be secured tothecar coupler, said yoke not only serving to support the forward end ofthe connector when the lat-- ter is free oruncoupled but also serving,to center the same or bring it in the proper position for con ling aswill be explained more fully ,hercinaf ter. i

Application fil ed February 17, 1908. Serial No. 416,256.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1909.

The improvements also include a novel I means for removing and replacingthe askets in the ports of the connector. ace whereby it is notnecessary to uncouple two connectors in order to remove a defectivegasket.

Finally, the improvements include an improved form of piston packingwhich is designed to be emp oyed in connection with the presentimprovements.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:-Figure 1 1s a plan view of oneem- .1

bodiment of the-improved pipe connector. Fig. 2 is a view in sideelevation, the dotted lines above the same indicating a car couplerwhich in the present case is arranged to have a lateral swing. Fig. 3 isa view in front elevation. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view upon anenlarged scale'of a iston packing which may be employed in t e improvedconnector. Fig. 5 is a similar view of one of the gaskets in theconnector face and of the improved means for holding the same upon itsseat, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view showing a modification of auniversal joint which may be employed in the improved connector.

In the present case, the connector choscgi "for the purpose ofillustrating and explainiu the invention is adapted to couple the signatrain and steam lines, but as the description proceeds it will beobvious that it is immaterial to the invention whether one or more linesare embodied in the improved structure. The three ipes correspondingwith the aforcmentioner lines enter what may be referred to as the basea of the connector, through which it is supported from underneath a carbody, such base being preferably cast to receive the three pi ma be mostconveniently secured to the um er-srde of the car.

some equivalent device horizontal and vertical movements ofthe connectorwhich are required for bringing the connector head into engagement withvision is made to permit the cmmeetorto have a slight swinging ortwisting movement so that it may accommodate itself to the supportingthe es in a horizontal plane in which position re ativc to each otherthey In addition to the...

a coil crating connector head on another car and or ma ntaining suchengagement, pr o+ .105

twisting strain which is produced at a cross- Such provision is made by.base a from a horizontal pivot a arrangedlon itudinally of theiQQll-rlw; 1

meter,

that is in the r ireotion the connegtpg' 1 l. neoli body at some held inplace by a spring (1 l11tB1J)OS6Cl extends. The three ipes leading intothe connector are refe'rafily fastened to the car istance back oftheconnector thus giving them the necessary flexibility to accommodatethemselves to this very slight movement of the connector. Of course suchflexibility may be imparted by any other suitable means.

The face 5 of the connector constitutes the forward ortion of theconnector head which is slidabfe in or upon an intermediate memher 0 andthe latter is secured to the base a by means of a universal joint. Thisuniversal joint comprises two similar independent joints, one forpermitting the connector to have movement in a vertical plane and theother for permitting a connector to have movement in a horizontal plane.Each joint comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical member d, a secondsubstantially semi-cylindrical member (1 having jaws (Z embracing themember (Z and a tapered plug rock (Z interposed with a tight Working fitbetween the two members d and 1. As arranged in the drawing, the forwardone of these two joints has its lug cock disposed in a vertical positionand the corresponding member (Z is integral with a casting c forming apart of the member 0, while in the other joint the plug cock ishorizontally disposed and the corrcspomlii'ig member (Z is formedintegral with the base casting (1. Both of the members d are formed inone integral casting d which casting, as veil as the cast ings a and c,are properly cored to provide the desired number of passages accordingto the number of lines to be incorporated, al as clearly indicated bydotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2. The tapered cocks are provided with acorresponding number of ports or passages (1 which are arranged toregister with the passages in the castings and thus to preserve thecontinuity of the lines through the joints. For this purpose the smallerend of each cock may be provided with a squared portion d for insertioninto a corresponding recess in a cap (1 covering one end of each joint,in order to hold the cock stationary. Moreover, the ports in the cooksmay be slightly larger than the passages in the castings as indicated inthe drawings, or their ends may be made flaring in order not to restrictthe passage of fluid through any line as the connector is moved. Inassembling the joints, the member (Z is slid into the member d and isretained'by a flange (Z on the member d at one end, and by the ca (2which is secured to the member (1 an( over the member (I at the otherend. The tapered cock (1 is then inserted at the first mentioned end,and is yieldingly tween the outer end of the cock an a fastening nut aland serving to keep the'cock in close Working contact with the memberscl and d. extent of the working surface in each oint, it may bepreferable to form the plug cock d integral with the member (Z or themember d, and in Fig. 6 a modification of the construction shown inFigs. 1 and Z, is illustrated, showing the plug cocks formed ntegralwith the member (I.

Screwed into the casting c are pipes 0 one for each passage in thiscasting, and these pipes are preferably formed with hexagonal shouldersc integral therewith for more conveniently fastening the pipes in place.The pipes extend into passages formed in the rear portion 1) of theslidable connector head thus constituting plunger-s or pistons, suitablepacking bcing provided to give them a tight working iit in saidpassages. packing preferably comprises asbestos graphite rings c, thegland c and a resilient split ring c the ends of which tend to drawtogether and which ring acts as a spring to take up automatically thewear upon the packing rings. The split ring ispreferably made of steeland is beveled at either one or both ends to cooperate witha beveled endupon the gland or a beveled end upon the outer packing ring or both asthe case ma be. When the packing becomes worn it is obvious that thering, tending as it does to draw its ends together, will keep thepacking tight. As shown in the drawing there are three glands 6 east inone integral piece for convenience in construction and manipulation.

In order to keep the faces of the two con- "nectors together, a suitablepressure must be applied to the connector head acting at all times toforce the head forward. It will be obvious that with the plungerarrangement This For the purpose of reducin the just described, thepressure in each of the r lines of the system will tend to press thehead forward and to keep the connecting faces together. Besides thepressure thus supplied is that of two springs provided one on each sideof tie pipes 0 pockets or seats for these springs bein fofmed in thecasting c and in the rear en 6 of the casting forming the connectorhead-Q Surrounding shield c shield serves to protect the pipes c fromdust and dirt which would otherwise interfere with the proper action ofthe plungers. The forward move.- ment of the head is limited by referredto as a supporting or centering member 9 which is fastened to theunder-side of the car coupler indicated b in the drawing and designatedh. This member is shown in case as a yoke having two vertical members gwith-concave surfaces presented to the rear portion of the head. Thisrear portion the springs and the pipes c is a of the head isdished oneach side'at g and which are dotted lines by the letter the present.

'115 secured to the casting c, which" house the springs and to what maybe senses these dished portions, as shown intthe dra-wlimited movement.lhis is'taken care'of'by, providing a. piston 7c and axresilientringilcfsimilar to the ring shown inconnection with the pecking (Fig. 5); :thecooperetingibev ings, besruiponthe vertical members of the yoke.

Whencoupling takes place, it will be understood-that the head is movedback- Ward and held hy the odjacenthead, where- :by it isentirely-freecfthe yoke; and when the head is uncoupled it moves forward again, thedished su-rteces 9 through the action of the springsf, bringing the headinto right and left center While the convexity of the-bearing surfaces:on the vertical. members of the yoke bringsthe head into 'the'proper'vertical position for the next engagement.

coupler, as was steted ebove. car coupler (lld' notheve the swingingmove- :It will be obvions=that the cooperating surfaces'uponthe-.yokeend connector'hced may be formedzin vsrious dirferent Ways toeffect :the. ends just .described. Moreover, the

vertical :members, in the :present case are shown" relatively near:together, being used "in connection with e. leterslly swinging car Incasexthe ment referred to, his obvious that the verticel members'wonldlisve'to be arranged farther apart togpermit the'connector head to haveesui'licient renge of movement. A narrow portion 6 of the head extendsthrough :the yoke and is made sull'iciently long so that the'fo-rwardportion of the head, thetis the faee Z), Will not come in contact withor interfere with-the yoke when the former is-retrected and coupled toan adjacent connector head. it Will be seen from "F 1 and 2 that theparts are arranged so thatthc head, In its forward or uncoupledposition, is somewhat inedvmice of the pullmg face x--a: of the knuckleoi the cert-ounler, thereby insuring the proper amount ofcompressionbetween the feces of ifWO. connectors when coupled. The face.18 rrovldcd with male and female-members?) and bflffor I gathering theheads together in c'll ecting a. coupling andcsusingtheports toregister, all as willbc readily understood.

Each of-thc'portsin'the end of, thefscc is provided with egesket, andin. accordance with the present invention means are provided forretaiining the gaskets insuch a- Way that they can be removed withoutuncoupling the'two ad eccnt I connectors. For this purpose, openings areformed in the sides, or, What IS the some thing, in the top or bottomgaskets will yield to some extent when the coupling til-i495 piece, someprovision must be made to pcrnnt tho herd orrigid gsskotin the steamport to have s corrosp:nulingly eled surfaces on this ring'and thepiston will setisfectorilyrretainthe gasket in place While readilypermitting it to adjust-itself properly to effect a. uniforms-ridperfect coupling beinvthe shutting connector. 'The steam'line, moreover,is provided with. a cock Z preferend the train and si cock m, such.cochs being provided with handles-above andjbelovvthc conneetor headrespectively.

port for the connector, and a joint embodying a tapered plug interposedintermediate passa e or passages extend. I

2. in :rpipe connector havmgone-onmore connector heed, a hose adopted tobe atunivers'nl joint cmhedyingtwo tapered-plugs which the passage orpassagesextend.

In a pipe connector having one ,or'more head, a, base, means to ivot thebase to a support, and a universe. f'oint intermediate the head andbasejend t rough Whichthe passage or passages extend.

which the passage-o1';.p'assagesextend.-

port for the connector,& joint to pe'rinithori- :rbly having an escapefor the condensation nal lines with a: common connector at p endin thebase ofitlie eon passages, theco'mbination of an extendible,

In apipe connector having one .or more passages, the ,(lOKllblIlttl-IOHof -e-connector.--' hcerdm base adapted to bc ettecheditoa sup-.

tween. the ports in one connector filIlditllQSG When,as in the presentcase, both steam and 8.11 passages are IIICOIPOIPttGCl nthecon- 'tivityofthe-connector is greatly reduced byf. 1

coring the cestmgsss indicated indie-headcirculate freely therethroughto keep the,

n will beobvious that soiheifeatures ofithe connector m ey be employe'clin; other devices tinted and described.;.here1n erelimited, to.embodiment in or application to a connector.

. 1. In a pipe connector having one or-nrore,

head, a base adapted to be attached to a supthe head and basesnduthrough which the tnched to a support for the connector, and aintermediate the" reed sndbese and through .115 pess'egesthe combinationof -a..'c onnec tor ln epipe connector-havingoneoiflmore passages, thecombination ofnn-ektendible, connectorhend, e bese, meansto piiiotthebase to a. support, and 'elluniversal joint intermediate the head andbeseendthrough zontal movement of the head and a joint to ermit verticalmovement of the head both intermediate the head and base and throughboth of which joints the passage or passages extend.

6'. in a pipe connector having one or more passages, a joint comprisinga substantially plug cockinterposed between said members.

8. In a pipe connector having one or more passages, a joint com rising asubstantially semi-cylindrical mem er, a second substantiallysemi-cylindrical member having jaws t'o embrace the first member,-atapered plug cock interposed between said two members, means to holdsaid cock from turning, and a spring acting against the head of saidcock.

9. n a pipe connector having one or more passages, a oint comprising asubstantially semi c'ylindrical member, a second substantiallysemi-cylindrical member having jaws to embrace the first member, and aplug cock interposed between said members and inte gral withone of' saidmembers.

10. In a pipe connector having one or more passages, a joint comprisinga substantially semi-cylindrical member thronglrwhich the passage orpassages extend, a second substantially semi-cylindrical member havingjaws to embrace the first member and through which the passage orpassages extend, and a plug cock having a corresponding number ofpassages or ports and interposed between said two members, the passagesor ports in the cock registering with he passagescin each. of saidmembers. i

11. In a pipe connector having .)r more )ass'ages, the combination of aconnector head, a base adapted to be attached to a support for theconnector, and two joints inter mediate the head and base, each of saidjoints comprising a substantially semi-cylindrical member, a secondsubstantially semicylindrical member having jaws to embrace the 1' irstmember, and a plug cock interposed between the said members.

,12, In a pipe connector having one or more passages, the combination ofa connector head, a base adapted to be attached to a support for theconnector and. two joints intermediate the head and base, the one topermit the head to move horizontally and the other to permit the head tomove vertically, and each oi said joints comprising a substantially,semi-cylindrical member, a second substan' tially semi-cylimlricalmember having jaws to embrace the first member and a plug cockinterposed between said members.

13. In a pipe connector having one or more )assages, the combination ofa connector head through which the passage or passages extend, a memberhaving a corresponding number of pipes which extend into the passage orpassages in the head respectively and upon which the head is slidable, abase for the cou lcr, and a universal joint intermediate the read andbase and through which the passage or passages extend.

14. In a pipe connector having one or more assages, the combination of aconnector liead through which the passage or passages extend, a memberhaving a correspiiuding numberot pipes which extend into the passage orpassages in the head respectively and upon which the head is slidable, aspring to hold the head normally in its extended position, a base Forthe connector, and a universal joint intermediate thehcad and. base andthrough which the 'iassagc or passages ex- ,tend.

15. In a pipe connector having one or more passages, the combination ofa connector head through which the passage or passages extend, a memberhaying a corresponding number of pipes which. extend into the passage orpassages in the head respectively and upon which the head is slidable,coiled springs interposed between the head and said member, the twolatter having pockets in which the springs are seated, and a shieldattached to said member and surrounding the pipes.

16. In a pipe connector, the combinatiop of an extcndible connectorhead, and a centeringmember, said head and member ha\ ing' cooperatingsurlnccs whereby the bearing of the head upon the member automaticallybrings the member to center.

17. In a )iDO connector, the combination ol. an extendible connectorhead, a centering member immovable longitudinally, means to permit theconnector head to have 'a limited range of movement, and a spring toadvanc the head and cooperating with the centering member to bring the l521d into a predetcn mined )osition.

1b. lin a pipe connector, the combination of an extendiblc connectorhead, a centering member, means to permit the connector head to have alimited range of movement, and a spring to hoi d the head normally in.engagement with said member.

19. in a pipe connector, the combination of an extendiblc connectorhead, a centering member limiting its forward movement, the head beingfree, of said member when contracted andcouplcd to an adjacentconnector.

20. in a pipe connector, the combination of an extendiblc connectorhead, and a centering member, the head having a coupling face .m' anceof said member, and a conllltl llll and a horizontal pivot to tactsurface adapted to bear upon said memher when the head is in itsadvanced post tion.

21. In a pipe connector. the combination the head having a coupling facein advance of the yoke and a contact surface back of the yoke adapted tobear upon the yoke and to bring the head into center as it advancesafter uncoupling.

22. The combination with a car coupler, ot' a pipe connector having anda yoke secured to the car coupler through which the head extends andagainst which it bears in its advance position, the head being tree ofthe oke when contracted and coupled. s

23. In a pipe connector, the combination of base, a member embodying oneor more pipes, an extendible head having passages t corresponding to thepipes and into which i the pipes extend as plungers, a universal jointbetween said member and base togive a limited range of movement to thehead, swings to advance the head, and a centering member with which thesprings cooperate to bring the head into a pie-determined posi tion andwhich centering member is independent of the connector when the latteris comracted and coupled.

2t. In a pipe connector, the continuation of a base, a member embodyingone or more pipes, an extendiblc head having passages corresponding tothe pipes and'into which the pipes extend as plungers, a universal jointbetween said member and base to give a limited range oi imivement to thehead, springs to advance the head, and a centering member against whichthe head bears when advanced by the springs and which is independent ofthe connector when the latter is contra ted and coupled.

27). 'i he combination of a pipe connector support the consector andpermit it to have a slight lateral suing or twist.

it The combination of a pipe connector, a horizontal pivot arrangedlongitudinally of the connector to support thesame, and a universaljoint to permit theconnector to move laterally and. vertically.

27. in a pipe connector, the combination of a connector head having aport therein, a gasket seated in the port and a wedge to maintain thegasket firmly upon its seat.

gasket seated in the port.

2s. in a pipe connector, the combination l a connector head having aport therein, a

and a wedge operating 1r.-1ns'\'erscl oi" the head against the gasketand removable from the side of the h ad.

2%). lit a pipe connector, the combination ot' a connector head havingat least two ports therein. a relatively hard gasket seated in anextendible head i 3 also rmnovable from the side one port, a relativelysoft gasket seated in the other port, a wedge removable from the side ofthe head to hold the sol't gasket rigidly against its seat and a wedgeand spring of the head to hold the hard gasket yieldingly against itsseat.

30. A packing device comprising a packing ring or the like, a gland, anda resilient split ring interposed between the packing ring and gland.31. A packing device comprising a packing ring or the like, a gland, anda resilient split ring, the saidring and either the packingring or glandhaving cooperating beveled surfaces.

32. A pipe connector mounted to have horizontal and vertical movementsand hinged so as to have a twisting movement.

33. in a pipe connector, the combination of a connector head adapted tobe extei'ided and contracted therein, and means to permit the connectorto have horizontal and vertical movements and a hinge to permit ittohave a slight twisting movement.

34-. In a pipe connector, the combination of an extendible head having apassage for the conduction of a pressure .tluid, a pipe ex tending intosaid to deliver the tluid thereto, the fluid thus tending to maintainthe head in its advanced position when uncoupled and against thecooperating head when coupled, and springs also tending to maintain thehead in its advanced position.

35. A pipe connector.having castings con-. stituting a base, anextendiblo head and a stem between the base and the head, the head, stemand base having at least two passages and all beingeorcd to permit thecirculation of the outside air between said passages.

'lhis specification signed and witnessed this 15th day of I ebruary,1908.

JOHN L. MOIIUN. Signed in the presence ol llomnn ll.- Snow, li'uolcs F.Va RN or.

